October 2023

64
Wanstead Village Directory
AFTER CLYDE
Wanstead Park swan couple Bonnie and Clyde were separated over
the summer following an incident in which Clyde broke his wing.
Helen O’Rourke updates on the sad separation
After Clyde was admitted to The Swan
Sanctuary with a broken wing, the
vet went to great efforts to set the
bone in an attempt to try and save the
wing. However, it was not healing, and
an amputation was necessary. He is still
recovering but making good progress.
Over the season, many cygnets receive
treatment for illness or injury at The Swan
Sanctuary and are unable to return to their
family if they have been away too long. When
well enough and of a suitable size, these
cygnets move to an outside, small ‘natural’
lake to prepare them for a return to the wild.
This is called the Nursery Pond, where several
long-term or permanently disabled adults
accompany them. It was expected Clyde
would be one of these adults, but instead,
he was moved to a permanent home on the
sanctuary’s large lake. He was getting bored
being with rehabilitating birds, and a bit
aggressive with other patients, so he now has
plenty of room to socialise and make bonds
with other permanent residents.
Bonnie and her two cygnets have remained
on Perch Pond in Wanstead Park. They do
not require lifetime care, and although these
decisions are never easy, it was considered
in their best interests to leave them in their
territory and monitor them. We have a team
of volunteers who visit twice a day to do this.
We believe one of Bonnie and Clyde’s cygnets
is male and one is female. The male cygnet is
affectionately known as Clyde Junior. Bonnie
remains very vigilant and the family is doing
well. Although swans do mate for life, it is
possible for them to find love again.
We are always grateful for donations to keep
the swan ambulance on the road and The
Swan Sanctuary also relies on donations to
Bonnie and her two
cygnets on Perch Pond
treat and care for admissions. Whilst every
effort is made to return patients to their
homes, it’s not always possible. And it is illegal
to release disabled swans back into the wild.
There are currently six of our local swans
under lifetime care at The Swan Sanctuary:
Clyde and Mr and Mrs Bob from Perch Pond
and Edward, Moon and Shadow from Eagle
Pond. You can help to support them by
signing up to the sponsor-a-swan scheme,
which is an invaluable source of income for
The Swan Sanctuary and helps to pay for
day-to-day running expenses such as food
and veterinary bills. Sponsorship is £15 per
swan for a year (you can choose to donate
more per swan if you wish). In return for your
sponsorship, you will receive details of your
particular swan and newsletters throughout
the year telling you all the news from the
sanctuary. The sponsorship details can be
sent to anyone of your choice with a card
and message, making it an ideal gift for all
swan lovers.
To report a local injured swan or waterbird,
call 07970 404 866
To sponsor a swan at The Swan Sanctuary,
visit wnstd.com/sponsorswan
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com